3 minute read
Featured Designer: Kid Raq
KidRaqis more than meets the eye(wear)
Written By: Renata Glusker Playground Photography: Victor Coker Photography of Atlanta, Georgia Black and White Attire Photographer: Lauren Liz Photo
Owner and CEO of KidRaq Luxury Eyewear, Raquel Smith, is a self proclaimed southern girl who’s start in the industry was born out of big dreams and even bigger ambition. An ordinary, single mom, who was committed to providing a worthwhile business legacy for her son, decided to quit her career as a US Postal Service worker and move north to launch her career in fashion. With a knack for creativity, a lot of hard work and the grace of God she landed her dream job traveling the world and styling one of the most iconic entertainers of all time; Beyonce.
After styling for ‘Queen B’ longterm, Raquel developed a knack for seeing what’s missing in regards to fashion and filling in the gap. “One day while styling Beyoncé,” Raquel recalls, “I noticed an interaction between her and her oldest daughter that emphasized how much kids love to emulate their parents”. That interaction led to Raquel’s realization that there was nothing in terms of high-quality fashion that would allow kids to accessorize with matching eyewear. “I saw a niche for the eyewear that KidRaq provides,” she says. After some research and a few phone calls, KidRaq started to take shape and Raquel’s new career as a children’s eyewear designer was born.
When asked, ‘why eyewear?’, Raquel says she could have easily chosen something else, but the desire to design eyewear with matching styles for adults and children was the chosen market where she wanted to make her mark. In her younger years, Raquel wore corrective lenses and reflected on the lack of unique and stylish choices“ I love cool stuff, “ she states. “And connecting coolness
and choices with ongoing input from kids, to include my son, was well worth this business venture.” The luxury brand features family eyewear with an emphasis on kids choices in both sunglasses and optical wear. In the collection you will find frames boasting names such as “The Hollywood Star”, “The Passport” and “Ocean Wave”. Each frame is uniquely designed and engraved with affirmations inside the temple to encourage children to have a positive mindset.
Featuring KidRaq in the ‘Together’ issue seemed like an obvious choice as the brand brings adults and children together through a love of accessorizing in the most fashionable way. But when asked, Raquel saw a deeper meaning behind what togetherness means; “In my view, together means a collaboration and cooperation among two or more toward a mutual goal, which has been essential in the establishment of my business” she says. The mission of KidRaq is bringing kids together by inspiring them to dream big and curate their lives in any way they want. Now that’s a ‘vision’ we can get on board with!
KidRaq can be purchased online at KidRaq.com as well as Nordstrom.com with an entry price of $119.00 per pair.
@OfficialKidRaq
info@KidRaq.com
Website: www.KidRaq.com and also now available at Nordstrom.com
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www.bestonu.com I @bestonukid
Owner: Frank McDonough Wakefield MA 01880 781 354 6784 www.portraits-by-frank.com @portraits.by.frank
